The Charlotte Hornets couldn't extend their winning streak against the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 132-120. It's evident that the Hornets need another shot-creator to take the load off LaMelo Ball and the other starters and have a chance at putting up a fight versus playoff contenders.
The good news is that they were able to rally from a deficit that ballooned to 34 points in the third quarter. Charlotte outscored the hosts 36-26 in the fourth quarter, thanks to Ball and Mark Williams catching fire in the period.
Ball had 10 points, going 2-2 from 3-point range, and three assists, while Williams couldn't miss from the field, sinking all six of his shots to score 15. The center was also perfect in the previous canto, putting up 14 points on 5-5 shooting. He finished with a career-high 38 markers and missed out on a double-double by a single rebound.
Mark Williams' career night came against a former Defensive Player of the Year
A week ago, Hornets coach Charles Lee revealed Williams' nickname, saying that the team has started calling him "DTP," which stands for "Dominating the Paint." His dominance of the Grizzlies and some of his other recent performances demonstrate why the moniker fits him.
What's remarkable is that not even a lineup that has 2023 Defensive Player of the Year awardee Jaren Jackson Jr. could contain Williams. Jackson Jr. achieved the feat when he led the league in blocks (3.0 rejections per contest) for the second consecutive season and anchored a Grizzlies squad that ranked second in defensive rating.
The second-generation hoopster appears to have declined a bit on defense since then, and Memphis has become a more offense-oriented club in this campaign. Still, Jackson Jr. remains a nightly threat in the paint, making Williams' career game much more impressive.
Hopefully, the third-year pro can continue his ascent toward stardom and keep on rewarding Charlotte's trust in him by consistently playing like he did against the Grizzlies.
It will be icing on the cake if his defense can also improve, as he still needs to work on his timing when defending shots inside the paint. If Williams becomes a much better two-way force, he would probably become the Hornets' second-most valuable player after Ball.
The team's following contests will be a good test for the Duke University product, as Charlotte will begin its nine-game homestand the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Playing in front of the home crowd could give him added motivation.